According to a news article, “CareerBuilder has announced that it will not run any of its longstanding series of commercials featuring chimpanzees during this year’s game, according to a report from Ad Age. The commercials, which depict chimps in suits in

Chimpanzees used in entertainment are usually adolescents, like the one pictured. As chimps grow to adulthood, their acting days end and the chimpanzee may be sold for research or worse.

business settings, have been heavily criticized by animal-rights groups as damaging to conservation efforts to protect the increasingly rare apes.”

Wild and exotic animals, such as chimpanzees, can be unpredictable. Even people who have spent years training wild animals have experienced violent attacks, pain, and suffering. Beyond concern for potential human injury is, of course, concern for the wild and exotic animals forced to participate in the entertainment industry. Whether stolen from the wild or captive bred, these animals are deprived of their natural habitat, food supply, and companionship necessary to fulfill their instincts.

Often, wild animals are shipped around the country/world, which induces stress that causes much suffering and sometimes death. In addition, many animals are discarded once they become too old or dangerous to perform, are left to languish in cages, or are sent to roadside zoos when they are no longer considered economically viable.

Wild and exotic animals experience much neglect and cruelty, in part, because there is little oversight or control of exhibitors. Even when sanctioned by licensing agents, exhibitors continue to exploit their animals while placing the public in danger.

Ultimately, many “trained” wild animals are, in reality, subservient and apathetic creatures. It is in depriving these sentient animals of their homes and natural lives and in forcing them to participate in unnatural behaviors that cause them to sometimes, and tragically, respond in unpredictable and lethal ways.

Take Action: Contact the CEO of CareerBuilder to thank him for his company’s decision and encourage his company to reject using wild and exotic animals in any CareerBuilder ads.